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Results tagged ‘ Andy Marte ’

The Indians have not one, not two but three versions of Opening Day this season. There’s the April 6 season opener in Arlington, the April 10 home opener at Progressive Field and, last but not least, the April 16 opener of the Yankees’ new $1.5 billion ballpark in the Bronx.

In New York, they’re working at a fevered pace to get Yankee Stadium ready for that opener, and it appears to be coming along quite well…

The gigantic video boards are up and running, though I can find at least a couple mistakes in the purported Indians lineup. Can you?

Finally, if the thought of Marte in the Opening Day lineup is unsettling, then what adjective do you use to describe this image?

I really don't see how it's even remotely possible that anyone could or would need to listen to a radio station other than E Street Radio -- the all-Bruce Springsteen station on Sirius and XM.

Actually, I'm on my second rental car of the spring already, because the Sirius subscription in the first one ran out a day into my rental period. That wasn't going to cut it. I need access to the only station where it's standard practice to hear, on average, five versions of "Thunder Road" (the studio version, the live version from the Agora Ballroom in '78, the solo piano version from the live boxed set, the original version named "Wings for Wheels" from early '75 and the studio alternate version in which the woman he's singing to is named Chrissie, not Mary) a day.

To me, that's perfect radio. But for the rest of you, perfect radio involves the Indians broadcasts.

Unfortunately, not every game down here in the Cactus League will be carried by WTAM, WMMS and the Indians Radio Network. Tom Hamilton, who arrived to camp today, will be in the booth for Wednesday's opener and 20 other spring exhibitions.

The rest of the time, you can turn to the soothing sounds of Jim Rosenhaus right over in these parts at Indians.com. Those of you with a subscription to MLB.com's Gameday Audio feature can tune in at the site for every game, including the ones not carried on the radio. For the complete spring broadcast schedule, click here.

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

It will be David Huff opposing Hector Rondon in the first inning of tomorrow's 1 p.m. intrasquad game. The game will last five innings in all. Rafael Betancourt, Kirk Saarloos, Adam Miller, Greg Aquino, Jensen Lewis, Masa Kobayashi, John Meloan and Ryan Edell will all get an inning of work.

Also of note for the intrasquad is that Ryan Garko and Jamey Carroll will both play in the outfield, while Josh Barfield will be at third base. Eric Wedge said he’s seen enough of Garko to determine it’s worth a shot, particularly in such a meaningless game.

At the end of this morning’s workout, the position players took part in an interesting situational hitting drill. They were divided into two teams. When a player would step into the cage, the players from the opposing team would call out a situation — for example, bases loaded with the infield in and one out — and the hitter would have to respond with the appropriate at-bat. Get it right, get a point. Get it wrong, lose a point. The team with the fewest points at the end had to pick up all the balls sprayed around the field. Some funny moments came out of this, and you can read about them on Indians.com in a little bit. But the highlight was when Shin-Soo Choo’s situation was basically “don’t hit a homer.” He hit a towering shot off the center-field wall, about a foot and a half short of going out. Big League Choo, ladies and gentlemen.

Nick Weglarz is a beast at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds. He was one of the early arrivals to Minor League camp this year, because he's due to leave to represent Canada in the World Baseball Classic this week. He took batting practice with the members of big-league camp this morning. I'll write up Weglarz in the coming days, but the main things you need to know about him is that he's got the body of a Travis Hafner with enough athleticism, the Indians believe, to remain in left field. He's not your typical power hitter. At Class A Kinston last year, he had a .396 on-base percentage, drawing 71 walks and striking out 78 times.

Another Andy Marte sighting today. He was working out at the complex and changing in the Minor League locker room. The Indians weren't able to work out a trade involving Marte, and he was officially exposed to waivers this morning. Teams have until Wednesday to claim him. I'll have Marte's take on his situation in a story on Indians.com this afternoon.

Jhonny Peralta will see some time at third this spring, but it won’t be a “steady diet,” Wedge said. It will be just enough to ensure Peralta is ready to jump over there from time to time during the season, if the need arises.

Former big-league player and hitting coach Mickey Brantley will be here tomorrow to see his son, Michael, in action.

Salas, 30, was designated for assignment by the Rays on Friday. He spent most of last season with Triple-A Durham, going 4-5 with a 2.62 ERA and one save in 28 appearances. He also made five appearances for the Rays, giving up five runs over 6 1/3 innings over two stints.

Salas has spent his entire career with the Rays. He’s made a total of 47 appearances over the last three years, going 1-1 with a 4.44 ERA in 52 2/3 innings.

To make room for Salas, the Indians designated Marte — their former “third baseman of the future.” Marte never got his bat going in the big leagues. The Tribe will have 10 days to trade him, release him or outright him. Perhaps this will be Marte’s opportunity to get another chance elsewhere. We shall see.

As for Velasquez, he was on the Indians’ short-season rookie ball squad in Mahoning Valley last year. He batted .281 with a homer, 10 doubles, a triple and 18 RBIs in 64 games for the Scrappers.

UPDATE: Salas, a converted third baseman, tested positive for performance-enhancers in 2007 and missed all of Spring Training last year because of visa issues in the Dominican. The Indians like his live arm and the fact that he has an option left. He’ll compete for the open bullpen spot.

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